Water 1st – Beer 2nd Fun(d)raiser raises $45,000

More than 550 people attend event at Seattle’s Lake Union Park Armory

More than 550 guests, double the number that attended last year, gathered for the 4th annual Water 1st – Beer 2nd fun(d)raiser at The Armory on Friday, February 27, where they enjoyed live music, food, and dancing in support of the work of Water 1st International. Over $45,000 was raised to support water, sanitation, and hygiene-education projects in Ethiopia, Honduras, India, and Bangladesh.

The ElecktraLytes provided live music while guests bid on silent auction items, danced and enjoyed beer from eight premier Seattle area breweries.

In addition, Seattle’s Jones Soda Company supplied root beer and Sawtooth Winery provided wine.

In keeping with the theme of the event, guests were given a list of beer and water facts (such as "$50, the equivalent of a keg of cheap beer provides a water basin and tap for one family in Honduras for life") to demonstrate how their funds are being put to work in Water 1st projects.

The winner of the Hawaiian get-away raffle was announced. Congratulations and aloha to Stacie and Jared Van den Dyssel! Thank you to the Sheraton Kauai Resort, Ty Cramer and Water 1st board members Steve Romein and Kristi England for donating Alaska Airline miles for the Kauai trip.

Board member and Ethiopia Water Tour participant Jon Hughes welcomed guests and talked about why he is involved with Water 1st. "I have seen first-hand people who have directly benefited from the support of Water 1st. It was an experience that changed my life."

Guests enjoyed a film featuring recent updates from Water 1st projects in Ethiopia. Marla Smith-Nilson, Executive Director of Water 1st, also spoke of her recent travels to Water 1st projects in Ethiopia and thanked Water 1st donors for their continued support of projects that are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people. "The funds we give as a group are nothing less than transforming to the people we serve. Every time we 'just give money' in support of a water project, we are taking part in something so significant that the head of the water committee in Bishikiltu, Ethiopia has characterized it as 'God touching the Earth.' If we didn’t give money, the projects wouldn’t happen. It’s that simple. There is no 'just' about it."

Water 1st staff member Kirk Anderson led the call for funding after the film. "Thank you for coming out tonight and making this event a big success. There are 600 people here tonight. Last year we were about 300. So thank you for spreading the word about Beer 2nd. We grow every year because of your dedication and enthusiasm. It’s a real privilege for me to be associated with all of you good people." Kirk then joked, "Beer 2nd is based on the theory that we might just be able to party our way to a better world for all - an old concept from the sixties that we think is worth revisiting."

Emcee Jon Hughes closed the evening’s program by offering a toast "to our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, India, Honduras and Bangladesh. Our hearts are with you." He then led the entire crowd saying “Water 1st Beer 2nd” in Amharic, the language of Ethiopia. Watch a short film of Beer Toasting here.

Special thanks

Water 1st gratefully recognizes our keg sponsors and Richard Piecora of Piecora’s Catering for their generous support of Water 1st. We would also like to thank Greg Boehme, Gibby Dammann, Eddy Ferguson, Julie Mains and Bryan Yates from our fabulous band, the ElectraLytes.

We also want to acknowledge the Water 1st-Beer 2nd event committee who helped to double attendance at this year’s event: Martha Brockenbrough, Chris Brown, Nancy Carroll, Kristi England, Josh Epperson, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Brad Halverson, Ann Hollar, Jill Jago, Sandy Nelson, Stephanie Nelson, Jen Norling, Grace Schlitt, Sara Tupac, and Brian Whitaker.

Most of all, Water 1st thanks our event volunteers and guests for their commitment to the work of Water 1st and helping the world’s poor meet their most basic need for safe water.

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